Aug 4, 2016

Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder have reached agreement in principle on a new contract potentially worth $85.7 million over the next three seasons, league sources told ESPN. The deal includes a player option that would allow Westbrook to still become a free agent after the 2017-18 season.

Westbrook, who has played all eight seasons of his career for the Thunder, will sign the contract on Thursday in Oklahoma City, sources said.

Talks between the sides centered around the addition of two more years to Westbrook's current deal, which expires after the 2016-17 season. The new deal would call for Westbrook's salary to jump from $17.8 million next season to the maximum $26.5 million. He would then earn the max the next two seasons if he exercises the third-year option.

The player option for the third season of the deal will allow Westbrook to capitalize on the league rule allowing players who have completed 10 seasons to earn a larger max salary.


According to league sources, Russell Westbrook will sign a new three-year deal with the Thunder on
Thursday in Oklahoma City.

In the wake of former MVP Kevin Durant signing with the Golden State Warriors, the Thunder made locking up Westbrook to a long-term deal their primary offseason objective. Oklahoma City removed its qualifying offer to restricted free agent Dion Waiters to free up cap space to offer Westbrook a max extension. Waiters agreed to a deal with the Miami Heat last month.

Westbrook had a season for the ages in 2015-16, tying Magic Johnson for the most triple-doubles in the past 50 years with a league-high 18, including six in the month of March.

A five-time All-Star and two-time All-Star Game MVP, Westbrook averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 10.4 assists last season and finished fourth in the MVP voting.
@NBAsxn
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-oklahoma-city-thunder-serious-talks-new-deal

Great move for both sides. The deal gives him a huge raise for the next 2 years (more than he would have made had he waited for this off season, even in OKC) and gives OKC a chance to make more moves and recruit somebody like Blake Griffin in the off season.

I wanna say he's a lock to win MVP, but even if he gets them to the playoffs it's not a guarantee. Kobe dragged the Lakers in for a few years as clearly the best player in the league and wasn't even able to get one until 08.

 

Aug 4, 2016

This guy is seriously likable.

The league needs more players that play like him and more that are loyal like him.

 

Aug 5, 2016

@Fitzy never gonna forgive KD for disrespecting the Tom lol.

 

Aug 4, 2016

Spit directly in Durant's eye, love it. Refreshing to see...

As much as i would have loved him in Boston that was a pipe dream, sucks that it probably rules Blake out for us as well though.